CARLOS EDWARDS could be fit to face Reading next weekend after returning to training this week.

Sunderland’s Trinidad and Tobago winger suffered a torn hamstring near the end of the Black Cats’ 2-2 draw with Birmingham last month, in only the second game of the season.

Edwards, who went for a routine scan on the injury yesterday, was expected to be out of action for a month and seems on course to return on time.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane says Edwards has a chance of lining up against Reading, who come to the Stadium of Light next Saturday.

But if he is not ready in time for that game then, barring any setbacks, he should at least be fit to play against Middlesbrough in a fortnight’s time.

Keane said: “We hope he has a chance for Reading.

“He’s done a bit of light training this week but you have to be careful with a hamstring injury.

“You think you are getting there, you push it and then you are out for a bit longer. He won’t be doing too much over the next two or three days and we’ll have to see next week.”

Edwards missed several weeks’ pre-season training due to injury and Keane has admitted that he should have been more cautious in introducing the 28-year-old into the side.

Meanwhile, Sunder-land have signed New Zealand centre-back Jack Pelter on a month-long contract to enable the Black Cats to assess his fitness.

Pelter has been on trial with Sunderland since July and has done enough to earn himself a contract on Wearside, but he is carrying an ankle injury which the club wants to investigate before committing to a longer deal.

The 20-year-old picked up the knock captaining his country in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, held in Canada, in the summer.

Keane said: “Jack has done well since he came to the club but he has a slight injury.

“We’ve only signed him for a month. We’re checking his medical stuff and we don’t expect any problems.

“Hopefully, he will be part of our reserve team for the next few months and add competition to the squad.”

Pelter, who was born in Cumbria, played for Sunderland in their pre-season games against Scunthorpe and Berwick.